February 26, 2015 3.16 pm This story is over 122 months old

Date set for second Lincoln Eastern Bypass public inquiry

Public enquiry: The Department for Transport has confirmed that the second public inquiry to be held for the £100 million Lincoln Eastern Bypass scheme will take place in August.
The section of Hawthorn Road which will be affected by the Eastern Bypass.

The Department for Transport has confirmed that the second public inquiry to be held for the £100 million Lincoln Eastern Bypass scheme will take place in August.

The inquiry, which will be held before deciding whether to grant legal orders needed for the bypass, will take place on Tuesday, August 11 at the Hilton Hotel on the Brayford in Lincoln.

Cases for and against the Compulsory Purchase Order and Side Roads Order that are needed for the project to proceed will be considered and the inquiry will last two weeks.

A pre inquiry meeting, chaired by the independent Inspector appointed for the inquiry will be held on Monday, May 18, at the Epic Centre at the Lincolnshire Showground.

The revised design for the Hawthorn Road bridge over the Lincoln Eastern Bypass. Image: LCC

The revised design for the Hawthorn Road bridge over the Lincoln Eastern Bypass. Image: LCC

Planning permission for the scheme was granted in June 2013 and for the re-located bridge for pedestrians, cyclists and equestrians, on Hawthorn Road in October 2014.

In July, the DfT rejected Lincolnshire County Council’s plans following a public inquiry because of safety concerns relating to a small junction connecting Hawthorn Road to a footbridge spanning the bypass.

As a result, the cycle and foot bridge has now been re-located, and the new design has been approved following consultation with the affected parish councils.

Throughout the planning process, residents have campaigned against the planned closure of Hawthorn Road.

There are also still hopes for the dualling of the bypass, should funding be acquired from DfT.

Councillor Richard Davies, Executive Member for Highways and Transport said: “We look forward to being able to progress this important scheme for the county.

“Lincolnshire County Council has taken on board the Inspector’s recommendations on the previous orders and we now believe there are no impediments to the orders being confirmed.

“We appreciate that the dates in August are not ideal as it’s during summer holidays, and we did make representations to the DfT and the Planning Inspectorate on that basis, unfortunately they are the earliest dates they could offer us.”